Meet Chief Time Walker

What a historical moment! ! On January 6th, 2024 at high noon, the Nation of the Amikwa Nipissing Allies bestowed the highest honour on Stacy Amikwabi (McQuabbie). The lifelong resident of the French River Indian Reserve #!3 was elected by the sovereign will of the people and chosen by the grandmothers. Amkwabi, who has also taken the name Ogima Dizhigaud Bimosed (Chief Time Walker) becomes chief of the nation just months after it launched a court action seeking acknowledgment from the Crown for its existence and as the original title holder over a vast territory, and for its people to ;have their inherent indigenos rights respected.

In a traditional inauguration ceremony Grandmother Brenda Roberts placed the headdress on Amikwabi at noon, before a crowd of nearly 50 nation members and supporters. Traditional Healer Peter Wynne offered blessings and prayers to mark the occasion,

" You could feel the strong presence of our spiritual elders descend on our gathering," said Cecil Demers, a founding member of the leadership council for the Nation of the Amikwa Nipissing Allies, The elders of the past  are supporting and guiding our people as a great door opens on our journey, he said. They are instilling their spiritual guidance in Chief TIme Walker as he leads us on our journey

The headdress was handcrafted by another founding member of the leadership council. Cory Pierce created the headdress using beaver fur, white birch bark and the fur from a three legged wolf.  Pierce shared the story of what the headdress means as a symbol of leadership for the Amikwa Nipissing Nation.

Grandmother Brenda worked diligently in preparing the beadwork in the front of the Headdress implementing of Amikwa logo as well as the eagle feathers and beaver doedum on each side of the Headdress, passing the white buffalo blanket for the ceremony and blessing the water along with prayers and signing.

Chief Time Walkers wife Jackie and her family and friends provided a bountiful feast as part of the celebration to mark this history-making event for the Amikwa Nipissing Nation.

"We definitely need to thank all the Grandmothers who were there," says Demers. I could go on and on about how wonderful this moment was for our nation. This is a date to remember. A moment that future generations will read about in the history books."

Stacy Amikwabi is truly a time walker for the Amikwa Nipissing Nation. He has spent more than two decades researching the history of his people, assembling thousands of documents that prove the Amikwa Nipissing people are still among us.